ABOUT THE "EXPERT" PHASE 2 DUST STUDY PEER REVIEWERS:
Peer Review letters can be downloaded here:
http://www.slocleanair.org/air/pdf/PMSecondData/Misc/reviewers2.pdf
Peer Reviewers are:
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Meredith Kurpius, Ph.D., EPA Region IX, Air Quality Analysis Office (Ph.D. in Ecosystem Science)
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Lynn Moody, Ph.D., Head, Cal Poly Earth & Soil Sciences Dept. (Ph.D. in Soil Science)
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Tom Murphy, Manager, Santa Barbara APCD, Technology & Environmental Assessment (M.A. in Geography)
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Michael Taylor, Ph.D., Prof. of Civil & Environmental Engineering, U.C. Davis (Ph.D. in Structural Engineering/Mechanics)
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Melvin Zeldin, Exec. Dir. of CAPCOA (at time of review) (Degree in Meteorology, UCLA)
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Karen Magliano, Chief, CARB Air Quality Data Branch (no resume provided)
GENERAL PEER REVIEW ISSUES:
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Peer reviewers did not have access to the study data. In fact, SLO APCD did not even have possession of all the study data until after the study was received by the Board.
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Almost every peer review letter was only a few sentences long, or less. It is not reasonable that an expert would look at a 106-page study and have nothing more to say then "looks good." Melvin Zeldin was the only reviewer that shared any thoughtful comments.
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A peer review from Eugene Kim at CARB was never shared or released.
INDIVIDUAL PEER REVIEWER ISSUES:
a) Peer reviewer Michael Taylor wrote in a personal email to the study authors (and not disclosed until LAST MONTH):
[SOURCE: Email correspondence to study authors obtained via Public Records Act.]
“I should begin by noting that I am an engineer but my specialty is not air pollution. My participation in previous work by the Davis Delta group (mainly the Owens Lake study) began as a structural consultant on the design and installation of the sand fences. However, as a curious person one could not help but become interested in the activities of such a knowledgeable and enthusiastic group. My comments, therefore, are as an interested but non-expert reader. …”
In addition to being a self-proclaimed "non-expert", the UC Davis Delta Group was an author of a component of the dust study. So, we have a non-expert that is friends with the study's authors! Maybe Michael Taylor was hoping for another sand fence building job?
b) Peer reviewer Melvin Zeldin was the Executive Director of CAPCOA (California Air Pollution Control Officers Assoc.) at the same time that SLO APCO Larry R. Allen was serving on the Board of CAPCOA. The Board (with Larry Allen) directly controlled Zeldin's employment and $131,000 salary.
[SOURCE: CAPCOA IRS Form 990 filings (2008-2010)]
Mr. Zeldin was not capable of unbiased peer review when his very employment and salary were controlled by SLO APCD's director.
c) Peer reviewer Tom Murphy is listed as a Phase 2 Study participant on page 2 of the published report. How can a participant also be a neutral and critical reviewer?
d) Peer reviewer Meredith Kurpius works for EPA, Region IX in San Francisco, which contributed $25,000 toward the Phase 2 Study.
[SOURCE: APCD Budget FY08-09 (top of page 6)]
Kurpius could not provide unbiased and independent review as her employer and agency had a vested interest in the Phase 2 Study.
e) Peer reviewer Karen Magliano is on regular conference calls with SLO APCD and they conduct frequent business together and are well acquainted. Magliano could not provide independent review.